Dietary, self-reported oral health and socio-demographic predictors of general health status among older adults

J Nutr Health Aging. 2012 May;16(5):437-41. doi: 10.1007/s12603-012-0006-3.

Abstract

Objective: Poor dietary habits and nutritional intake are associated with a range of chronic diseases. Oral health may be directly associated with general health status, as well as related to diet. The aims are to assess dietary, self-reported oral health and socio-demographic predictors of general health status among older adults.

Design: Cross-sectional mailed survey.

Participants: A random sample of adults in Adelaide, South Australia aged 60-71 years in 2008.

Measurements: Health status was measured using the EuroQol (EQ-5D). Compliance with dietary guidelines was measured using a 16-item index of grocery purchasing. Oral health was measured by self-reported number of teeth, oro-facial pain and sore gums. Socio-demographics included age, sex, birth place and subjective social status.

Results: Responses were collected from n=444 persons (response rate = 68.8%). The average EQ-5D score was 0.80 (se=0.01). Unadjusted analyses showed (p<0.05) EQ-5D scores were lower in the bottom tertile of compliance with dietary guidelines, for those reporting oro-facial pain, sore gums and fewer teeth, and for the lower social status group. Multivariate analyses showed (p<0.05) lower compliance with dietary guidelines was associated with poorer general health (beta=-0.10), as was oro-facial pain (beta=-0.11), sore gums (beta=-0.17), and lower social status (beta=-0.28).

Conclusions: Socio-economic status, oral symptoms and compliance with dietary guidelines were associated with general health status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet*
  • Energy Intake*
  • Facial Pain / complications
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Gingiva
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Oral Health*
  • Patient Compliance
  • Periodontal Diseases / complications*
  • Self Report
  • Social Class*
  • South Australia
  • Tooth
  • Tooth Loss / complications